What Does 'Iyawo' Mean?

This person who has referred to you twice as Iyawo, what exactly is your relationship with him? Are you married? Is he about to marry you? Are you co-habiting? Questions, questions,

There are generally two types of priesthood in the different nations of Candomble, and they are made up of those who possess Orisa (Iyawo) and those who do not (Oga - male/Ekeji - female). It is important not to confuse the meaning and usage of the Yoruba term Iyawo (bride in Yoruba) with other African derived religions that use the same term with different meanings.

The initiation of a Iyawo lasts generally 21 days in the Ketu nation and varies depending on the nation. The Iyawo's role in the religion is divined by their babalorisa/iyalorisa; one's role can be to take care of Iyawos as they are being initiated, becoming an expert in all the Orisa foods, becoming an iya or babalorisa themselves, or knowing all ritual songs, etc,  The Iyawo has 7 years within which to become proficient in their role; during the 7 year wait, they complete religious obligations at 1, 3 and 7 years. At the 7th year, the Iyawo receives their title (oye in Yoruba) and assumes the function. Once the Iyawo has completed their 7th year obligation, they become elders (egbon in Yoruba, egbomi in Brazil which means my elder) within their religious family.

I think these sites may help a bit,  from my experiance, an Iyawo is a person that has just been reborn in the Yoruba religion. 


http://www.church-of-the-lukumi.org/decreeiyawo02.htm


http://www.angelfire.com/my/IyawoExperience/